Status of hospital infection control measures at seven major tertiary care hospitals of northern punjab

To determine the availability and implementation of various hospital infection control measures at tertiary care hospitals. Survery. National Institute of Science and Technology, Islamabad, from June through August 2008. Seven tertiary care very busy hospitals were selected; one from Islamabad, 5 from Rawalpindi, and one from Lahore. A detailed proforma was designed addressing all the issues pertaining to hospital infection control measures. Air sampling was done and growth yielded was identified by standard methods. Analyses revealed that all of the hospitals had an Infection Control Committee. Microbiological diagnostic facilities were adequate at all the hospitals and overall microorganism yield was very high. Antibiotic policy was claimed by most, not available on ground. Majority of the operation theatres were without proper air flow system and autoclaves were not being regularly monitored. There was no proper disposal for sharps and needles. Incineration was not the usual mode for infectious waste. The results of the present study imply availability of proper hospital infection control policies with need of strict implementation of such measures.